When a child is sick, parents are often watchful, especially in taking their child’s temperature. Sometimes, their temperature soars and eventually normalizes, but sometimes it can go up and down, only to go up again. So many parents wonder where the best place to take temperature may be in order to get an accurate reading. But wherever the thermometer is placed, it is important to take the temperature properly and to monitor its pattern throughout the day. Part 1: What Is the Best Place to Take Temperature?
Body temperature can be taken from different locations in the body. The best place to take temperature may be from the mouth, the armpit, the ear or the rectum. However, these are all indirect methods to measure the body temperature, which is really more …show more content…
How to take an ear temperature
• Clean the ear probe with a clean cloth. Attach a disposable cover to the ear probe.
• Turn on the thermometer.
• For babies less than 12 months old, pull one earlobe downward and back to help insert the probe into the ear canal. For older children and adults, pull one earlobe upward and back. Push the tip gently toward the eardrum.
• Press the button to display temperature reading.
• Remove gently and discard used probe cover.
Part 3: When to See Doctor for Abnormal Temperature
Here is a table showing normal temperature ranges. Any reading beyond these ranges needs medical attention.
Call your doctor if your temperature reading is 38° C (100.4° F) or higher. High temperature can be a sign of active infection and this should be treated immediately. Aside from fever, other symptoms that need attention include:
Stiff neck
Severe headache
Swelling of the throat
Confusion
Bring your child to the Emergency Department immediately if he has a fever and any of these conditions:
Age younger than 3 months old
Recent travel abroad
A rash that appears like small purple dots
Vomiting and signs of dehydration (like not peeing)
Very pale or grey, cool or mottled
Body temperature can be taken from different locations in the body. The best place to take temperature may be from the mouth, the armpit, the ear or the rectum. However, these are all indirect methods to measure the body temperature, which is really more …show more content…
How to take an ear temperature
• Clean the ear probe with a clean cloth. Attach a disposable cover to the ear probe.
• Turn on the thermometer.
• For babies less than 12 months old, pull one earlobe downward and back to help insert the probe into the ear canal. For older children and adults, pull one earlobe upward and back. Push the tip gently toward the eardrum.
• Press the button to display temperature reading.
• Remove gently and discard used probe cover.
Part 3: When to See Doctor for Abnormal Temperature
Here is a table showing normal temperature ranges. Any reading beyond these ranges needs medical attention.
Call your doctor if your temperature reading is 38° C (100.4° F) or higher. High temperature can be a sign of active infection and this should be treated immediately. Aside from fever, other symptoms that need attention include:
Stiff neck
Severe headache
Swelling of the throat
Confusion
Bring your child to the Emergency Department immediately if he has a fever and any of these conditions:
Age younger than 3 months old
Recent travel abroad
A rash that appears like small purple dots
Vomiting and signs of dehydration (like not peeing)
Very pale or grey, cool or mottled